Romo and Rivers: Poor pass blocking and critical interceptions plagued Tony Romo in recent years. The Cowboys took measures in recent months to help Romo, much as the Chargers have with Philip Rivers.

Dallas has a new playcaller in Bill Callahan, their coordinator and a well-regarded offensive line coach. He quickened the calls to give Romo more time, and granted him more leeway to call or change plays. In addition, Dallas invested its first draft pick in an offensive lineman who now starts, and used another high pick (actually, two) on a pass-catcher.

The San Diego-born Romo, who entered the NFL a year before Rivers and became a starter in the same season (2006), is getting the ball out fast and on target. His completion rate of 72.2 percent leads the NFL (Rivers, at 70.0, is second). He is fifth in quarterback rating (103.2). His lone interception came when rookie receiver Terrance Williams broke the wrong way in the season opener.

Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium, Romo will try to become the first Cowboys quarterback to win in San Diego since Drew Bledsoe, in the 2005 opener, tossed three TDs in a 28-24 victory for Bill Parcells-coached Dallas, which was a five-point underdog.

Against the visiting Chargers four years ago, Romo threw two TDs and no interceptions but saw Rivers hit Antonio Gates for a tie-breaking, fourth-quarter TD as San Diego, a 3-5 point underdog, won 20-17.

Oddsmakers have made the Cowboys (2-1) 1.5-point favorites. All time, they are 6-3 against the Chargers. Dallas is coming off a 31-7 victory at home over the Rams. The Cowboys were 17-16 losers at Kansas City in their only road game.

Playmakers: Running back DeMarco Murray is second in the league in yards from scrimmage (402) and fourth in yards rushing (286). Against the Rams, Murray (6-foot, 213 pounds) ran for 175 yards (6.9 per carry) and a TD. He's averaging 4.9 yards per rush. With a team-high four sacks, edge rusher DeMarcus Ware is tied with the Rams' Robert Quinn for the NFC lead. Ware has 115 career sacks, third-best among active players with 115. Receiver Dez Bryant leads Dallas in receptions (17) and yards receiving (201). Tight end Jason Witten has 16 catches with two TDs.

Rookies helping: First-round draft pick Travis Frederick (Wisconsin, 31st) allowed a 2.3-second sack to Chiefs nose tackle Dontari Poe in Week Two. But he is a powerful, smart prospect who has strengthened the line. San Diego State alum and tight end Gavin Escobar, taken 47th, caught a 24-yard TD Sunday to pad a 17-0 lead. Opening Night against the Giants, the 6-foot-6 Escobar pulled down a high Romo pass for his first NFL catch. He is, as expected, a below-average blocker. The starter at strong safety is J.J. Wilcox, a third-rounder and converted running back from Georgia Southern. He is faster than the veteran he supplanted, Will Allen.

Experienced braintrust: Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, 73, directed the dominant Bucs defense in Tampa Bay's Super Bowl-winning season 11 years ago. Hired last offseason after resigning from his USC post, Kiffin replaced Dallas' 3-4 scheme with a 4-3 design. His line coach, Rod Marinelli, 64, is one of the NFL's best. Lines coached by Marinelli, who is the father-in-law of Chargers linebackers coach Joe Barry, tend to be well-directed, smart and rugged, said Chargers center Nick Hardwick. Despite losing two starting linemen to injuries, the Cowboys are second in rush defense. One year after creating a franchise-low 16 turnovers, they have seven in three games. Three came on the initial three series against the Giants.